Synthesis, mesomorphic and photo-physical properties of few d- and f- block metals coordinated to polar Schiff's bases

Abstract

The synthesis, liquid crystalline and optical properties of polar Schiff's bases, viz. N-(4-n-hexadecyloxysali cylidene)-4′-substituted anilines with methyl, nitro and cyano substituents in the 4-position of N-aryl moiety and their d- and f-block metal complexes, are presented. The polar ligands exhibited a smectic A phase, while methyl homologue exhibited a nematic phase. The majority of the complexes exhibited a smectic A phase with some of them exhibiting smectic E phases. The ultraviolet-visible and photo-physical properties of the ligands and complexes are also discussed.

Keywords:

• mesomorphism
• polar Schiff's base
• fluorescence
• metallomesogens

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial assistance from Department of atomic energy, department of science and technology and university grants commission.